An explosive chilli extract, deemed the hottest substance on sale in the UK, has hit the shelves of a Leeds shop.

The Death Cap engineered chilli extract, which is housed in a grenade-style case, has a Scoville heat scale rating of 13million – meaning it is 5,200-times hotter than the humble jalapeño pepper.

That means that for every single drop of Death Cap chilli extract it would take 13m drops of water to neutralise the heat.

The scorching substance, which is six-times stronger than standard UK police pepper spray, has gone on sale in the Chilli Shop in Leeds’ Merrion Centre.

Daredevil chilli chompers should be aware that anyone wanting to get hold of Death Cap in Leeds has to be vetted by store owner Frank Jay first.

He said: “You have to remember this isn’t a natural chilli, it once was a chilli but has been crystallised to its chemical compound.

“It is actually beyond body rejection, about 9m is total body rejection but we give you such a small amount you wont convulse.

“The highest chemically and scientifically possible is 16m – that again is engineered. Anything above a chilli (2m) is engineered.

“The Death Cap is the hottest thing you can legally buy in the UK.”

Mr Jay said that he only sells one Death Cap every two months and that the only reasonable way to try it is by dabbing the tongue with it, using the very tip of a cocktail stick.

Chilli Shop owner Frank Jay with Death Cap, the hottest substance available to buy in the UK.

The Chilli Shop has been selling burning hot substances to the people of Leeds for the past year.

Among the fiery sauces available is the aptly-named Colon Cleanser, while you can also purchase fiery pickles, chutneys and novelty items.

When asked to describe the sensation of tasting Death Cap, Mr Jay added: “It’s slow motion, the funny thing is the hotter is the slower it is to come on but it doesn’t go away, it keeps coming back no matter how much you drink.